Finding the perfect wedding gown can be a HUGE mission but, believe it or not, choosing\u00a0the perfect bridesmaids<\/a>‘ dresses to go with it can be even trickier – after all, you’ll have to take so much more than your own tastes and body shape into consideration.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s always a good idea to have already chosen your own bridal gown before shopping for your bridesmaids\u2019 dresses,” advises Tania Roddy, owner\u00a0of Sydney’s\u00a0Perfect Day Bridal<\/a>\u00a0which specialises in wedding dresses and bridesmaids’ gowns.<\/p>\n
For example, if you have chosen a sophisticated, Grace Kelly-inspired gown<\/a>, then its overall style will\u00a0serve as the foundation of your bridesmaids\u2019 dresses which\u00a0you would, most likely, want to match your your gown’s\u00a0classic styling.<\/span><\/p>\n
Since she first began working in bridal boutiques five years ago, Tania has helped around 200 brides<\/a> find their dream wedding dress – as well as the perfect bridesmaids’ gowns.<\/p>\n
“I still get goosebumps when a bride walks out and starts tearing up because she knows – and I know – that she’s found The One, her\u00a0perfect wedding gown,” says Tania.<\/a><\/p>\n
Below Tania shares her top tips for choosing the perfect bridesmaids’ gowns<\/a>:<\/p>\n
So, you\u2019ve decided to live the fairy tale wedding dream and chosen a\u00a0dress fit for a\u00a0princesses. This style, typically, features a very full skirt and is, often, strapless and may be adorned with a long train.<\/p>\n
According to Tania<\/a>, flowing, chiffon bridesmaid dresses look beautiful matched with this style of gown, but they could really wear a multitude of styles because you\u2019ve opted for quite a traditional gown. Your bridesmaids\u00a0could be in different colours and lengths, with or without straps.<\/p>\n
If your dress is all about modern elegance, your bridesmaid dresses should also be quite formal, suggests Tania.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might want your bridesmaids to wear long gowns<\/a>, rather than short dresses. You could look at a luxe chiffon with a soft shimmer to it,\u201d she says. \u201cLace is always very nice for a formal event, too. You could go down the path of satins and jerseys to keep it more elegant.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another option for your bridesmaids is to wear something more structured in full lace.<\/p>\n
It used to be that only the bride wore white, but all-white bridal parties are unbelievably elegant, says Tania. \u201cIt\u2019s got a real romance and elegance to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
To set the ladies apart, they could each be wearing a different coloured sash that ties in with your flowers, which would really pop against their dresses, she adds.<\/p>\n
Reminiscent of style-icon Audrey Hepburn, this dress sits mid-calf and is a little more fun and playful than other styles, such as the princess ballgown, says Tania. It\u2019s perfect for a mid-afternoon garden party and it\u2019s a good opportunity for your bridesmaids to wear something a bit more fun, perhaps something in a bold colour in a similar style gown to yours.<\/p>\n
Short dresses work best if you\u2019re getting married on the beach and your bridesmaids\u2019 dresses could be fun, flirty and a little flippy, suggests Tania. Lots of soft, flowy chiffon works well in a less formal setting too and the girls could wear beautiful pastel colours.<\/p>\n
However, adds Tania<\/a>, though matching your bridesmaids’ dresses with your own gown – and the wedding’s overall theme – is the norm, it\u2019s your<\/em> wedding day and your decision whether to stick with – or ditch – convention when it comes to your bridal party’s outfits.<\/p>\n
“It just comes down to what makes you, as the bride, happy!”<\/p>\n